Welcome to 40 Days for Life: 40 Days for Life kicks off February 22 in 258 locations!

40 Days for Life kicks off February 22 in 258 locations!

On February 22, the next 40 Days for Life campaign begins in 258 locations in the United States, Canada, England, Australia and Spain. Sign up for campaign updates with the box at the upper right ... pray and fast for an end to abortion ... and see the list of locations to find -- and get involved -- in the campaign nearest you!

FIVE more abortion centers close following 40 Days for Life

On March 1, the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Storm Lake, Iowa will shut its doors. Just last fall, this location was the site of a 40 Days for Life vigil, coordinated by Sue Thayer – who once cerved as manager of that very facility ... until she was fired! Be sure to see Sue's story.

Earlier, we received word from the Michigan attorney general’s office that TWO abortion centers which have been sites of multiple 40 Days for Life campaigns — in Lansing and Saginaw — have been permanently CLOSED after they were found to be operating illegally. A judge ordered them shut down PERMANENTLY.

Then, it was announced that GYN Special Services Clinic, located in Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, would be closing its doors. Brian Gibson of Pro-Life Action Ministries, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in the Twin Cities area, describes the closure -- and the impact of 40 Days for Life -- in this short video. (on the site)

Finally, it was announced that an abortion center in Rockford, Illinois -- the site of three 40 Days for Life vigils as well as many years of constant prayer by faithful volunteers -- had closed its doors forever. In announcing the closure, the facility's owners said it was clear that the community no longer supported the abortion business.

With the closure of the Storm Lake Planned Parenthood center, this will now make 21 abortion centers that have shut down during or following 40 Days for Life campaigns outside their doors. To God be the glory, and congratulations to all the pro-life groups and individuals in these cities whose years of fervent prayers and faithful efforts have been rewarded!

What 40 Days for Life has witnessed (so far!)


	There have now been nine coordinated 40 Days for Life campaigns since 2007, mobilizing people of faith and conscience in 422 cities across the United States and Canada, plus communities in Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belize, Denmark, England, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Puerto Rico and Spain.

During these unified efforts, participants witnessed countless blessings from God:

1,633 individual campaigns have taken place in 422 cities
More than 500,000 have joined together in an historic display of unity to pray and fast for an end to abortion
More than 14,000 church congregations have participated in the 40 Days for Life campaigns
Reports document 5,045 lives that have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones we know about
61 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry
21 abortion facilities completely shut down following local 40 Days for Life campaigns
Hundreds of women and men have been spared from the tragic effects of abortion, including a lifetime of regrets
More than 1,800 news stories have been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio shows and TV programs from coast to coast ... and overseas
Many people with past abortion experiences have stepped forward to begin post-abortion healing and recovery

After so many years of legalized abortion, many people of faith are experiencing a renewed sense of HOPE!

Take the leap of faith and get involved with 40 Days for Life

Have you been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil yet? You may ask, “What do I do?” or “What sign should I bring?” The answer is simple; the only sign you really need to bring is yourself, for you represent God’s love.

Concern about going to pray at the abortion facility is common — and normal. 40 Days for Life campaign director Shawn Carney shared some thoughts at the national Students for Life conference.

Day 4 - February 25

Intention:

Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Scripture:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.

- Ephesians 6:12-13

Reflection:

I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue of life is perceived more often in churches today as political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception to silence many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and if we are to be prepared to face the spiritual enemy on the issue of abortion, we must daily "put on" the armor God has given us:

Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) - Commit your emotions to believe truth and to speak truth, regardless of the repercussions.
Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) -It will protect our hearts - the innermost springs of our beings - from all unrighteousness so evident in this fallen world.
Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. (vs. 15) -Preparation is vital if we are to be effective in God's work.
Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) - The Accuser will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an invisible shield that deflects such false accusations.
Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) - A helmet protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine revelation for human reasoning.
Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) - The Word of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word is powerful and effective.

Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly Yours. We thank you for equipping us with Your armor. Lead us daily to put it on! Thank you for allowing us to serve under your command, and for hearing our requests for direction and protection. Thank you for the victory that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Today, I’m speaking at a 40 Days for Life event in
College Park, Maryland — but I wanted to share some
exciting news about what’s happening 10,000 miles away.

Earlier this week, we sent you the video David Bereit
and I recorded in London. Today, we have a video from
Australia. We’ve never been to Australia, but this
short video shows how God is using 40 Days for Life
Down Under. Enjoy the video!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

The campaign in Sydney kicked off with a procession to
the vigil site — the Pre-Term Foundation, the oldest
abortion facility in Sydney. An estimated 400 people
took part, including Bishop Terry Brady of the Catholic
archdiocese.

“As in previous years, the procession saw its fair
share of hecklers,” reports one of the local team
leaders. “One lady began screaming and writing on the
ground with chalk in front of the facility, until a
sudden downpour of rain stopped her mid-sentence.”

“This Lent, we are going to Calvary, to take love where
there is no love, where innocence is crucified,” said
local coordinator Paul Hanrahan.

To see some photos of the Sydney campaign — along with
that video a local group produced — please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2717

CARSON CITY, NEVADA

40 Days for Life in Nevada’s capital city started with
a well-attended candlelight vigil. The volunteers will
be praying outside a new Planned Parenthood facility
for these 40 days.

The location is not far from Nevada’s legislature,
supreme court and governor’s mansion — “just a short
walk away,” said one of the Carson City leaders.

To see some photos of the Carson City event, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2717

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

This spring, Birmingham is holding its EIGHTH 40 Days
for Life campaign!

More than 100 people took part in the candlelight vigil
in front of the Planned Parenthood facility, launching
40 days of prayer and fasting. “We had four pastors
lead us in prayer. We sang in praise and heard
encouraging words from our local pregnancy resource
center director,” said Ed in Birmingham.

“Over these last four years of 40 Days for Life, we
have grown our pro-life participation greatly and
become more unified in all of our local projects as
we stand for life,” he said. “We left that evening
ready to start. Thanks be to God!”

To see some pictures of the Birmingham campaign,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2717

Day 5 - February 26

Intention:

May God's justice sober our society, and may mercy triumph over judgment.

Scripture:

Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.

- Genesis 9:5-6

Reflection:

The value of every human being can hardly be seen more clearly than with this verse. God, the King of the universe, has created all human beings in his image, and declares forthrightly that shedding the blood of any individual will require the blood of the one who shed it. God's concern for human beings is not limited to any particular group. Indeed, his concern is universal, and includes male and female, young and old, born and unborn, disabled and able-bodied, the citizens of every nation on earth.

Abortion, the deliberate killing of the unborn, is the shedding of innocent blood. Surely the blood of millions upon millions of innocent children cries out to God. It is true that we live in an age of grace, and yet this passage (among many other texts which express similar sentiments) should give every thinking Christian pause.

Christians of all people, entrusted with the Word of God as we are, must take a stand. We must speak out. We must do all that we can to protect the innocent, to pursue justice, and to encourage the repentance of all those who bear responsibility for this great evil. Only in this manner can we hope to forestall the judgment that must otherwise surely come.

This passage should also be seen as an encouragement to educate and disciple our children and grandchildren about what it means to be human, and the responsibility that will become theirs in this ongoing struggle.

Prayer:

O Father, forgive us for our lack of courage and our want of compassion for the unborn and for those lost and hurt by abortion. Fill us anew with your Spirit. Renew our minds, strengthen us in righteousness, help us be people of salt and light within our nation. May every human being, from conception to natural death, be treated with the respect due those made in your image. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rev. John Brown
Director, United Friends for Life (United Church of Christ)

It’s the Lord’s day, and fitting that we focus on prayer.

I also have a great TV clip from Hanover, Pennsylvania.
I visited Hanover last fall during their first-ever
40 Days for Life campaign. Planned Parenthood is located
on the town square in Hanover, where the vigil gets
attention from everyone. Enjoy the news story!

HANOVER, PENNSYLVANIA

“Our campaign got off to a wonderful start,” said Dan
in Hanover. “Great weather — and Channel 27 out of
Harrisburg came down and interviewed Judy.”

Judy is Dan’s wife. Together, they lead the Hanover
campaign. The interview took place around lunchtime.
“We had a good showing of people there praying with
signs,” said one of the volunteers.

The Hanover vigil is taking place outside a Planned
Parenthood facility — but there’s no sign of any
Planned Parenthood spokesperson in the newscast.
For the “other side,” the reporter interviewed a
member of a local atheists’ society. He rattled on
about the imposition of a religious viewpoint.

Interestingly, in other locations, we’ve had atheists
stand in solidarity at some of the vigils! Obviously,
they weren’t there to pray, but to speak out against
abortion as a human rights violation.

For a link to the report on the Hanover campaign from
WHTM-TV, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2726

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK

A group of about 20 volunteers gathered to pray at the
40 Days for Life vigil site in Plattsburgh — outside
a Planned Parenthood facility.

“It was a beautiful prayer vigil,” said Nancy in
Plattsburgh. “Very peaceful, much grace abounded. We
were blessed to have a few dedicated souls who drove
over an hour to join us.”

We must put our trust in God, she said. “He tells us
to not be afraid; He is with us. And this work that we
do is for Him. Would you please consider coming out to
pray with us? Would you ask a friend to come along?
God will use our prayer to end abortion in Plattsburgh!”

To see some photos of the Plattsburgh campaign, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2726

CALGARY, ALBERTA

“It’s still cold in this Canadian prairie city at this
time of year,” writes a 40 Days for Life blogger in
Calgary. “The weather is unpredictable — and yet ...
the call is so urgent.”

The annual abortion total in southern Alberta is nearly
5,000 — and the majority take place at the abortion
facility where Calgary’s 40 Days for Life vigil is
taking place.

“We need to start caring,” the blogger said. “We need
to create opportunities for sharing truth. We need to
speak out, and gently, lovingly reach a broken world
to protect life.”

The 40-day vigil serves as “an opportunity to soften
hearts (our own and others) through prayer. It allows
us to plead with God for the hearts and minds of our
nation to be changed, and it allows us to engage in
this battle in the single most powerful way that we
can. Let’s pray.”

To see some photos of children participating in the
40 Days for Life vigil in Calgary, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2726

Day 6 - February 27

Intention:

That those tempted to abort may understand that their child is already present, and already a real person.

Scripture:

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

-- Luke 1:41-44

Reflection:

Jesus not only loves unborn children -- He was one himself!

Think about this for a moment.

We often hear people speak of a pregnant mother by saying, "She's expecting a child." Now if one is expecting a package, the package is not yet there. As reflected in our verse for today, however, this is not the case with the mother. Her gift is already there. The pregnant woman, a mother already, does not have a child "on the way," but has a child, already present and in full possession of his or her human rights, starting with the right to life.

Prayer:

Jesus, open my eyes to your presence in the life of every child. Open my heart to joy in the birth of every child, a birth that reflects the joy of your own birth in Bethlehem. As you shared life in the womb of Mary, so now send your protection upon every child still in the womb, and grant to their mothers the strength and joy that comes from welcoming the gift of life. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

One abortion is one too many, of course. So it’s always
encouraging during a 40 Days for Life campaign when we
see local abortion numbers DECREASE dramatically.

After we did the first 40 Days for Life campaign in
Texas back in 2004, abortions dropped 28 percent in
our community that year.

As 40 Days for Life has spread to other cities, we’ve
seen similar results. Today, we start with an AMAZING
example where abortion numbers keep falling!

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Trudy sent me a graph showing Jacksonville’s abortion
numbers over the past ten years. Abortions increased
from 2002 through 2006. Starting in 2007, however,
abortions have DECREASED every year.

What happened in 2007? Well, in the fall of that year,
Jacksonville held its first 40 Days for Life campaign.
Then in 2009, volunteers started Family for Life —
daily prayer at the abortion centers Monday through
Saturday ... more than 300 days of prayer every year!

In 2011, Jacksonville abortions reached a ten-year low.

The Jacksonville team has already sponsored several
events this campaign, including a Jericho march, in
which prayer volunteers marched back and forth between
two abortion facilities seven times.

To see the amazing chart of Jacksonville’s abortion
numbers, plus photos from the campaign, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2758

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

The sound of the shofar kicked off the second 40 Days
for Life in Asheville. Mary Ann in Asheville said 100
people took part in the opening prayer vigil and
procession, led by representatives of Catholic,
Methodist, Presbyterian and home churches.

People sang hymns and heard inspirational messages
from a local pastor and a former abortion industry
employee. “Hearts were deeply touched,” Mary Ann said.

>From a very small start last fall, the Asheville effort
has now expanded. Many churches now have members of
their congregations signing up for prayer at the vigil,
the leaders have gotten information about the campaign
in a number of publications and team members have been
able to speak about 40 Days for Life at meetings of
various local organizations.

For photos of the Asheville campaign, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2758

DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA

“God is moving big-time in Downey, California,” Tim
wrote in the 40 Days for Life blog.

“He is stirring the saints to come out of the pews
and onto the street to make a difference at the
Family Planning Associates abortion facility in
Downey,” he said.

Tim described how 40 college-age young adults stood
in prayer and worship from 9 pm to midnight recently,
and some of them were right back at the vigil outside
the abortion center at 7:30 the following morning.

In just the first few days, eight babies were spared
from abortion in Downey. “God is pouring out His
Spirit,” Tim wrote, “just as He said He would.”

Day 7 - February 28

Intention:

Pray that the abortionists and all workers in abortion facilities would be troubled in their souls regarding their work and would seek truth.

Scripture:

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

-- Ephesians 4:31-32

Reflection:

We see the evil and oppression in the world, the arrogance of those who mock God, the millions of innocent lives destroyed because of the greed of a few. Our flesh tells us that we should take justice in our own hands, but instead of vengeance, the Lord calls us to love our enemy, to forgive others as we have been forgiven.

God loves the abortionist and the Planned Parenthood advocate just as much as He loves you. It breaks His heart to see them in bondage to sin and He is giving you this opportunity to introduce them to the Savior who sets the captive free.

Though you may not experience direct interaction with these souls, your presence will not go unnoticed. Your non-verbal communications speak volumes about the God you serve.

Forgiveness is an act of obedience to God (Colossians 3:13). Forgiveness is not condoning or overlooking the wrong behavior of others, but rather it is freeing ourselves so that God can work mightily through us to touch their hearts for Him. Let's join our hearts with His in recognizing that those in the abortion industry are not the enemy, but rather they are blinded by the enemy. God desires that we bring them the message of truth and hope found in Christ, but the messengers He will use are those willing to forgive.

Prayer:

Dearest God, You tell us in Proverbs that the foolish and the wicked lack wisdom and understanding. I pray you will trouble the souls of those in the abortion industry so that they hunger for truth and cry out for freedom. I pray that my life would reflect my redemption so others may see it and trust in You. In obedience to You, and by your grace, I choose to forgive others as you have forgiven me. In the name of Christ my Redeemer I pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Day 8 - February 29

Intention:

We pray for a renewal of our zeal to offer generous help to the unborn and their families.

Scripture:

If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me, What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

-- Job 31:13-15

Reflection:

The ground is level as we stand before God.

Job lived with an awe provoking sense of God's expectation of him, particularly regarding his obligation to care for the weak and needy. He knew that in God's economy everyone stands on level ground when it comes to our status as God's creatures. Because of that central truth, we must take care of each other.

Job also knew that he didn't deserve any of the good things God gave to him. Instead, those blessings came to Job from God's benevolent heart. As an extension of that knowledge, Job instinctively linked his obligation to be generous to others to God's kindness toward him.

As in Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Job knew that it is an egregious sin to deny to others what we enjoy ourselves. He actually calls down on his own head severe condemnation and even punishment should he fail to share with others out of his own abundance (see verses 16-23).

Proverbs 3:27 reads, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." Some things are so obvious that we don't even need to pray except to ask of God forgiveness and the power to do what so obviously needs doing.

Prayer:

God, forgive us when we try to explain away the obligation we have to help others who need help. Enable us to not devalue them because they are in the circumstance that they are in, but to see them for what they are, those, who like us, were formed by your hand in their mother's womb. Amen.

Rev. Rob Schenck
President, Faith and Action, and National Clergy Council

By now you may have heard the buzz — that Laura
Ingraham was enthusiastically promoting 40 Days for
Life to millions of people on the Fox News Channel’s
“Fox and Friends” program yesterday morning.

We NEVER imagined that kind of publicity and attention
when 40 Days for Life first began!

Today I have a very special video for you:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2773

This spring’s 40 Days for Life marks the TENTH
nationally and internationally coordinated campaign
since this effort went from humble beginnings to
spread around the world.

To mark this occasion — national director David
Bereit went back to where it all began.

BRYAN / COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

Most people don’t realize that with prayer, we can
change our world — even in the public right-of-way.

The public right-of-way in Bryan/College Station,
Texas is special. In fact, the local police once told
me it was officially the “most protested strip of
public right-of-way in America.”

I saw that as a huge compliment because I knew that the
people there were praying, and that made the difference.

For eight years — as volunteers on opposite sides of
the fence and then directors of opposing organizations
— I watched Abby Johnson drive to and from her office
at Planned Parenthood every day.

We prayed for her ... but never imagined the day when
she, the director of our Planned Parenthood, would
ever JOIN us in prayer on that public right-of-way as
a pro-life advocate.

Prayer makes the difference.

David Bereit went back and fired up the crowd at their
local kickoff event ... and it was captured on video:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2773

Watch the video from the birthplace of 40 Days for
Life and you will:

* Learn breaking news about the unprecedented decline
in business that Planned Parenthood and the abortion
industry are experiencing RIGHT NOW

* Understand the urgency and vital importance of this
40TH YEAR of legal abortion in America

* Discover how YOUR participation in 40 Days for Life
this spring will make a profound, life-saving impact!

Whether you’re brand new to 40 Days for Life, or a
veteran of many campaigns, take the time to watch this
inspiring video TODAY:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2773

If you don’t have a fast enough Internet connection
to watch video, we’ve also included the audio recording
that you can listen to online (even with a dial-up
connection) or download to your computer or iPod.

Day 9 - March 1

Intention:

Pray that the post-abortive woman would be repentant, accept forgiveness, be healed and restored, and bring glory to God with her new life.

Scripture:

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

-- Psalm 32:5

Reflection:

Because abortion is legal in America, many have justified their choice. "If it's legal, it can't be wrong, right?" We now have an entire generation of men and women who have never known abortion to be illegal; a generation of people who have never been broken over their sin of abortion.

As a result, the consequences of unconfessed sin weigh on their souls, yet they have never connected the dots as to why their hearts are heavy. No wonder we have millions of women who are struggling with depression, addictions, eating disorders and more.

Post abortion syndrome is very real but recovery begins when the individual agrees with God as David confessed in Psalm 51:3-4, 14, "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight - that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when you Judge. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation."

Brokenness is the key to accessing God's glorious mercy and healing. Christ came to heal the broken hearted and He is waiting with open arms to take the post-abortive woman on a glorious journey of healing and restoration if she will only run to Him.

God will not waste any sin we lay at His feet. Imagine millions of healed and restored post-abortive women like myself singing aloud of His righteousness and giving testimony of His love and forgiveness. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you are our Healer. You have forgiven all my iniquities and removed my transgressions from me as far as the east is from the west. Guilt no longer has dominion in my life. Lord, we pray that post-abortive women across this nation will run to You to receive the gift of redemption and healing that comes from You only. In the name of our Savior we pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Today our national director, David Bereit, and I leave
home at 4 a.m. to fly to Iowa, where not one but TWO
Planned Parenthood sites are CLOSING after one or more
40 Days for Life campaigns!

Their last day of business is TODAY and — all of the
40 Days for Life locations invited us to speak at the
celebration events.

(Look for the exciting details about these closures
and more from our trip in an e-mail in the days ahead.)

We often talk about heroes. To be a hero, you don’t
have to do a big thing, or a great thing, or even
something that gets a lot of attention. You just have
to do the RIGHT thing.

And today, we have examples of 40 Days for Life heroes.

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Connie in Orange County shared the story of a man who
lives about 10 miles from the 40 Days for Life vigil
site outside of Planned Parenthood. He rides his
bicycle to the vigil — every day — and remains in
silent prayer for 4 to 5 hours.

“What impressed me the most was that he comes on his
old bicycle that is giving him problems and sometimes
he has to stop several times to check on it,” she said.
“And he does this every day!”

To see a picture from the vigil in Orange County,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2793

SPRING VALLEY, NEW YORK

At the 40 Days for Life vigil in Spring Valley,
volunteers are faithfully praying across from a
Planned Parenthood facility in weather that has been
cold and windy (”freezing for life,” said one of the
vigil participants).

A man approached one of the prayer volunteers, wanting
to know why they were there. She told him it was their
calling to pray and be present for those in difficult
situations — crisis pregnancies. The man thanked her
for what she was doing.

Another passer-by then asked for directions to a medical
office — and also wanted to know what they were doing.
He was given the same answer — and invited to join the
vigil for an hour.

“We are called to be a voice for the most innocent
among us,” Eileen said. “For 40 days, we will be hope
for those who feel they have no choice. For nothing is
impossible with God!”

To see photos of the Spring Valley vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2793

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

A man, perhaps in his 70s, came to the sidewalk to join
the prayer vigil in Colorado Springs. One of the other
volunteers watched as he walked slowly back and forth
along the sidewalk, praying silently.

Finally, the volunteer asked how long he’s been doing
this. He said he’s been coming for an hour every day
so far — and will be back for an hour every day each
of these 40 days.

“I told him he was a hero,” the volunteer said, “and
the man started to cry.”

He simply responded, “I believe in this,” as he turned
and continued to walk and pray.

“I prayed,” the volunteer said, “Lord, give us men
like this!”

Day 10 - March 2

Intention:

May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.

Scripture:

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

-- Job 12:9-10

Reflection:

Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.

In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.

Prayer:

Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Georgette Forney
President, Anglicans for Life

David Bereit, the 40 Days for Life national director,
and I are in Iowa today — celebrating the closure of
TWO Planned Parenthood abortion centers that have been
the sites of 40 Days for Life campaigns.

One of the reasons 40 Days for Life has such an impact
in communities is because of strong leadership from
local pastors.

I’ve seen a lot of courage this spring at kickoff
events I’ve spoken at, where pastors of Baptist,
Catholic, Presbyterian and many other Christian
churches shared the Word of God and challenged their
congregations to be part of 40 Days for Life.

Pastors don’t hear it enough, but we appreciate YOU!
Thanks for all you do on behalf of God’s children.

HARLINGEN, TEXAS

Nancy says “folks are taking notice” of the 40 Days for
Life campaigns in the Rio Grande Valley — “and the
campaign is still young.”

This is the second 40 Days for Life in which Harlingen
is participating. “Harlingen support is booming
compared to last time as we now have Brownsville, Port
Isabel and South Padre Island folks joining us.”

A particular boost came when Bishop Daniel Flores of
the local Catholic diocese went to pray at the vigil.
A number of people joined him — and so did the media.

A KGBT news crew interviewed both Bishop Flores ... AND
the abortion center’s owner. It was quite a contrast,
and brought quite a bit of attention to 40 Days for Life.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

At a recent vigil, there were more than 100 people on
the sidewalks outside the abortion center. “By far,
our best ever,” said Patti, the local 40 Days for Life
coordinator. “God really blessed us with many new people
coming out for the first time,” she said.

“We had great support from passers-by, including a
young girl and her mother who brought freshly-made
empanadas,” Patti said. “Then a young man who lives
across the street and really appreciates what we’re
doing brought us five dozen fresh-baked bagels.”

To see a picture of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
California’s San Fernando Valley, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2805

EUGENE, OREGON

You don’t always get to see God’s hand in action. But
sometimes, He permits a glimpse.

A man walked up to Lynda in at the 40 Days for Life
vigil in Eugene and asked her if she wanted to meet
one of the women the volunteers had prayed for.

“I dropped everything and followed him to meet his
daughter and her two beautiful kids,” she said. “Such
beautiful miracles — another testimony of answered prayer!”

Lynda said she just wanted to pass this blessing along
“for encouragement to others that prayers are being
heard and answered!”

Day 11 - March 3

Intention:

Pray that people of faith will have their strength renewed even in the face of the violence of abortion.

Scripture:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait in silence for the saving help of the Lord.

--Lamentations 3:22-26

Reflection:

The Book of Lamentations, a short book of only five chapters, contains some of the most poignant expressions of human grief. These verses are used in many Churches on Good Friday, since they can be seen to express a prophecy of the suffering of the Lord and the lamentation of his followers on that dark day.

But in the midst of his grief, Jeremiah writes the verses quoted above. "The favors of the Lord are not exhausted." It is a call to hope that no matter how much violence there is, life will prevail in the end.

Why does he say, however, that God's mercies are renewed each morning?

Because early in the morning, on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb -- and they found that the events of that morning changed everything.

Christ's victory over death came in the morning, and therefore each day we can renew our confidence that life has the final victory.

Prayer:

Lord, look kindly on your people who weep and mourn amidst the vast devastation that abortion has brought upon our land. We cannot even count the children killed, and the mothers and fathers wounded.

We cannot measure the devastation and corruption abortion has brought upon the very fabric of our society. But we declare today that your favors have not been exhausted, your mercies have not been spent. They are renewed each morning.

Give us new strength today in the resurrection of Christ your Son, that we may bear effective witness to the victory of life! In His name we pray, amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

Absolutely. Some more stories from Shawn Carney:

There is a lot of darkness in the abortion industry.

One of the blessings of 40 Days for Life is that it
helps bring the light of Christ to places that prefer
to remain in the shadows.

Here are some stories from cities where His light
is shining.

BOISE, IDAHO

The 40 Days for Life team in Boise is in the middle of
its second campaign, and response so far is excellent.
“96 percent of our vigil hours are full,” said Karen.

She said one of the Boise campaign highlights is “the
bonding of an area-wide community of life” consisting
of 21 churches from various Christian denominations —
“churches that would not have come together except
through the 40 Days for Life vigil.”

At rallies and sign-up events, the leaders talked about
the local abortion totals — 1,572 annually in their
county alone, most of them performed at Planned
Parenthood.

To show how many that is, the Boise team got a big jar
and filled it with 1,572 pieces of candy — one for
each abortion. “That really spoke volumes to everyone,”
Karen said.

To see photos from the Boise vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2810

EVERETT, WASHINGTON

“The Holy Spirit is definitely moving among us in
Everett,” said Scholastica, one of the local leaders.
“This is our ninth campaign — more people and more
churches are involved.”

One Saturday, 20 pro-abortion protesters arrived, so
vigil participants called others to come pray. These
demonstrators brought signs with messages such as,
“Honk if you love Planned Parenthood.”

About a dozen people continued to pray while all of
this was going on. “We were still outnumbered,”
Scholastica said, “but we were not discouraged.”

She said the prayer volunteers “went home with conviction
of the utmost urgency to pray not only for the end to
abortion but also for the conversion of the hearts in
our community — to see the truth that abortion is wrong.”

For a photo of the vigil in Everett, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2810

MANASSAS, VIRGINIA

A woman approached the 40 Days for Life volunteers in
Manassas and offered a small donation. The volunteers
were appreciative, but said they needed prayer rather
than financial assistance. They then explained in detail
why the vigil was necessary.

The woman was stunned. She told them she was from Egypt,
and she was shocked to learn that abortion was legal in
the United States. She then said she was a Christian and
that she wanted to join the prayer.

“The entire incident reminds us that when rational people
first learn about abortion,” said Mike in Manassas, “they
are repulsed by the concept of legally killing our unborn
children. Our citizens have been slowly desensitized and
it’s through our visible witness that we can be a stimulus
to wake people from their slumber.”

For pictures of the 40 Days for Life volunteers in
Manassas, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2810

Day 12 - March 4

Intention:

Pray to God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to end abortion in America.

Scripture:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

-- Ephesians 3:20-21

Reflection:

God's power working in and through His people is unlimited and far beyond our comprehension when we submit to God's Word and Spirit. He receives glory when we are obedient to His calling and faithfully serve Him in His strength.

Consider God's hand of providence on this nation because of the faithfulness of a few who were totally committed to God and His truths. It is interesting to note the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "Yours is the one great nation in all history which was founded on the precept of equal rights and respect for all humankind, for the poorest and weakest of us as well as the richest and strongest."

Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme Court of the United States said, "Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. I have no new teaching for America. I seek only to recall you to faithfulness to what you once taught the world. Your nation was founded on the proposition very old as a moral precept, but startling and innovative as a political insight that human life is a gift of immeasurable worth, and that it deserves, always and everywhere, to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect."

It is time to restore that dignity and respect. Our God is able. Are we willing to remain faithful until His work through us is done?

Prayer:

God Almighty, Who is powerful and willing to supply, our hearts cry in unison for You to restore dignity and respect to human life, not only in America, but around the world. Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to your calling, and may You begin Your transforming work with me. Keep me ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing is impossible; without You, I can do nothing. To You be glory forever and ever, Amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

I just returned from events celebrating the closure of
two Planned Parenthood abortion centers in Iowa —
praise God!

Since this spring’s campaign features peaceful vigils
at 121 Planned Parenthood facilities — almost half of
the total number of sites — there are few things you
probably should know.

For starters, Planned Parenthood is the leading
abortion chain in the United States, doing around
330,000 abortions EVERY year. They do this with while
taking in upwards of $400 million in YOUR tax money.

But Planned Parenthood is worried. Last year, for the
first time in 16 years, their abortion numbers went
DOWN. Fewer abortions equal fewer dollars. And Planned
Parenthood is a business.

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK

For one thing, Planned Parenthood doesn’t want you to
know that it runs abortion centers. Their PR campaigns
focus on “women’s health.” That’s a reference to
abortion — but they avoid the actual word.

Nancy tells a typical story. A man approached her at
the 40 Days for Life vigil and asked what the prayer
volunteers were doing.

“He was shocked,” she said. “He didn’t know they did
abortions at Planned Parenthood.” The man then said
he would invite his pastor to come pray. Once he knew
what Planned Parenthood was really all about, it made
quite an impression.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

Planned Parenthood created a media event to protest
proposed state legislation. The spot they picked was
outside the Planned Parenthood abortion center where
the 40 Days for Life vigil is under way. The media
arrived — and interviewed both pro-Planned Parenthood
demonstrators and 40 Days for Life vigil participants.

But immediately after reporters got their interviews,
the pro-abortion demonstrators packed up and left,
admitting this was a one-time-only appearance. That’s
fairly typical. When the cameras go away, so do they.
But the 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers remained —
and will continue to be there.

To see some pictures of this event in Virginia Beach,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2814

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

We’ve already heard from campaigns like the one in
Columbia, where Planned Parenthood’s “pledge a picket”
campaign has already been launched — and that is a
good sign. It means business is off and they want you
to go home.

“Pledge a picket” asks Planned Parenthood supporters
to pledge money for each “picketer” (that’s you) on
its sidewalk. They try to say that YOU are raising
money for them. This, of course, is simply not true.

“Pledge a picket” is Planned Parenthood’s highest
award to an effective 40 Days for Life campaign,
so stay and keep praying!

THE 3% DECEPTION

The most popular Planned Parenthood talking point these
days is that abortion is only 3% of their total services.

This creative use of statistics understates the
importance of abortion to the bottom line. It treats
birth control prescriptions, HIV tests and abortion as
equal when counting the number of “services.”

Researchers who’ve studied Planned Parenthood’s own
reports estimate that abortion accounts for 40 to 50
percent of total clinic income. This is why Planned
Parenthood is so protective of abortion — and trying
relentlessly to increase the numbers.

Please keep these things in mind as you pray and fast
for an end to abortion.

Day 13 - March 5

Intention:

We pray for the strength to love those who do not love us.

Scripture:

But the Lord said "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in the night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock? Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

-- Jonah 4:10-11

Reflection:

God doesn't value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager's womb.

But God isn't like us. Genesis 1 tells us that humans were the capstone of God's creation. We were created on the sixth day after God had completed the land, the stars, the plants and the animals. Therefore, His love for us is greater than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other created thing. And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even the most sinful people and seeks to bring them into His merciful arms. And it's a love that seeks to touch all of his created children: that desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb, even tyrants and terrorists. So it's up to us to imitate God's merciful love by helping and praying for those who persecute us, and those who don't love us back.

Prayer:

Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of most difficult things you could ask of us. Please remind us that this is how you love and that if you ask it of us then you will give us the grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dennis DiMauro
Lutherans for Life representative to the National Pro-life Religious Council

Happy Monday!

OK, many people dread Mondays. But if you follow these
updates, you know Mondays always bring wonderful news
to start the week.

Thus far during this 40 Days for Life campaign, we know
of at least ...

... 148 babies spared from abortion!

Praise God!

Here are a few of the stories, starting with a save at
one of the most hostile abortion centers in America.

-------------------------------------------------------
RENO, NEVADA
-------------------------------------------------------

One of the volunteers in Reno headed to the 40 Days for
Life vigil -- just barely remembering to bring her
"I regret my abortion" sign.

"I was praying specifically that God would stir a heart
within the building," she said. There were plenty of
distractions. This is the abortion center that blasts
foul music over an outdoor sound system, and posts
"anti-protester" signs on the fence around the property.

She soon noticed an SUV pulling out of the driveway
with a young couple in the front seat. The woman,
sitting in the passenger’s seat, was in tears.

The young man driving stopped and rolled down his
window. "She didn't do it," he said. He told the
volunteer, "She saw your sign -- and didn't want to
do it."

"They were both so grateful that we were there praying
and sharing our personal hurt," she said. "I'm so
grateful that God can make beauty from ashes." And,
she said, grateful that two first-time vigil
participants got to experience God's saving power
through prayer.

-------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON, DC
-------------------------------------------------------

One of the prayer volunteers at the 40 Days for Life
vigil in Washington watched as a young couple walked
into Planned Parenthood. He quickly tried to say a
few words as the door was closing.

The young woman seemed interested in what the volunteer
was saying, and she glanced back at him -- through
Planned Parenthood's glass front doors -- several
times. But then they disappeared inside.

"A couple of hours later, they came out," he said.
The young woman "told me she changed her mind about
having an abortion and will keep her baby."

A Planned Parenthood escort tried to discourage the
couple from talking to him, but finally gave up when
it was obvious the young man and woman wanted to take
his pro-life information.

-------------------------------------------------------
AUSTIN, TEXAS
-------------------------------------------------------

Patricia, an Austin prayer volunteer, met a young
couple who were seeking an abortion. They told her they
really did not want the abortion, but due to their
financial situation they felt they had no other choice.

Patricia was able to share information about positive
community resources. The couple found one of the
recommended heath care providers and made an appointment
right away. They were determined that if there was an
alternative, they were going to find it.

The couple also picked out a pregnancy resource center
and said they would go there immediately after their
appointment at the healthcare clinic. They thanked
Patricia and drove out of the parking lot.

They chose life!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.